Removal tool for flooring planks

Abstract

A decorative layer removal tool for flooring is configured with a removal shaft and either a drill attachment or handle to remove the decorative layer from a plank. The removal shaft includes a threaded end to attach to either the handle or drill attachment. The handle can be used when the user wishes to manually rotate the shaft and remove the decorative layer; the drill attachment can be used with a power drill for a motorized removal. The removal shaft includes a slit that extends from an unthreaded end to the threaded side. In typical implementations, the slit may not extend to the shaft's threads. At least a portion of the slit is used to receive the decorative surface layer from a plank, thereby enabling the decorative layer's removal.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A removal tool configured to remove a decorative layer from a plank, comprising:
 a removal shaft having a threaded male connector on one end and a slit that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the removal shaft, wherein the slit begins at an end opposite a fastening mechanism and ends before reaching an opposite end thereof and before reaching the fastening mechanism; and 
 a driver that forms a cylindrical linear shaft and that is oriented perpendicularly to the removal shaft, the driver has a substantially centered threaded bore that attaches to the removal shaft's threaded male connector, in which manipulation at the driver translates to a corresponding manipulation at the removal shaft, and wherein the threaded bore fully extends from end to end to establish a hole therein and thereby make the driver reversible, end to end being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis on the linear shaft, 
 wherein the driver has sufficient surface area on opposite sides of the threaded bore to enable a user to grip the driver to create the translated manipulation at the removal shaft, and 
 wherein the threaded bore includes a bevel on each end thereof. 
 
     
     
       2. The removal tool of  claim 1 , further comprising a bevel on at least one side of the slit. 
     
     
       3. The removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the threaded bore is same as a length of the threaded male connector on the removal shaft. 
     
     
       4. The removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening mechanism is one or more of a tab and notch, press-fit, threads, screw, or bolt. 
     
     
       5. The removal tool of  claim 1 , wherein the slit extends across more than 50% of the removal shaft's length. 
     
     
       6. A removal tool configured to remove a decorative layer from a plank, comprising:
 a removal shaft having a fastening mechanism on one end and a slit that extends parallel to a longitudinal axis of the removal shaft, wherein a bevel is on at least one side of the slit; and 
 a driver that attaches to the removal shaft's fastening mechanism, in which manipulation at the driver translates to a corresponding manipulation at the removal shaft, 
 wherein the driver is a cylindrical linear shaft and that is oriented perpendicularly to the removal shaft, 
 wherein the threaded bore fully extends from end to end to establish a hole therein and thereby make the driver reversible, end to end being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis on the linear shaft, and 
 and wherein the threaded bore fully extends from end to end to establish a hole therein and thereby make the driver reversible, end to end being perpendicular to a longitudinal axis on the linear shaft. 
 
     
     
       7. The removal tool of  claim 6 , wherein the slit fully extends parallel from end-to-end. 
     
     
       8. The removal tool of  claim 6 , wherein the slit begins at an end opposite the fastening mechanism.